Good Night / Bad Night - Pre-season week 3

[CSBill]

For what it's worth, PFF gave Dawkins an 82,saying he didn't allow a single pressure: https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-refocused-baltimore-ravens-13-buffalo-bills-9

 

Top 5 Grades:

LB Preston Brown, 87.8 overall grade

ED Ryan Davis, 85.8 overall grade

CB E.J. Gaines, 83.2 overall grade

T Dion Dawkins, 82.0 overall grade

ED Jerry Hughes, 81.4 overall grade

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

 

 

Secondary and LB play has been the biggest surprise of preseason.

 

I'd say bad night for Washington and Shaq.......not necessarily the entire DL. Shaq continues to GLARINGLY be the last guy off the ball and Ravens targeted and engulfed him on their first third and short conversion. He's been invisible this preseason after a TON of camp hype.

 

Yeah Juan Castillo and Crossman need to go........not sure why it was a big secret to McDermott that these guys HURT the teams that they coach.

 

Receiving corps in general has no playmakers.........Jordan Matthews isn't likely to change that at all he's a shaky handed possession specialist...........Sammy trade looks much worse now than it did two weeks ago and it was clearly a dumb move then.........even if Tyrod fails how much better would Peterman be throwing to someone who is actually OPEN.

 

The scheme is not being tailored to the talent the way it was by Anthony Lynn last season........so they NEED people who can win matchups and they have none. It's pathetic that Reilly looks like their second best WR(after Zay) every time that he steps on the field. Maybe he'll be another Nebraska find at WR like Quincy Enunwa.......he's not quite the athlete that Hogan is but he is similar and tracks the ball well downfield which is a huge weakness for this wr group.

 

....how Crossman managed to be a holdover is something we'll never know....and Castillo's luvfest with Vlad is equally putrid.......maybe McD should try MONSTER.COM

[LeGOATski]

The play that Incognito held on...

 

Is he going to disappear this year?

[That's No Moon]

Hmm. Interesting. I thought his man was one of the two who got to Tyrod on the play that he got hurt. Will go back and look when the all 22 comes out

It was, but Dawkins had the man controlled to the outside. When Tyrod stepped up and to his left Dawkins had no way to intervene without holding. He had to go that way because Mills was getting devoured on the other side. If Mills doesn't get killed Dawkins had ridden his man outside and had given Tyrod a pocket to stand in.

[JerseyBills]

Greg Roman I think helps out with there run game for Ravens. To be fair he is best with the run in the league (I know not OC bt helps in lots of ways). The Bill's did ok considering that.

Ok? Did we allow a 20+ yard run? (Honestly asking, don't believe so) , I'm also almost positive their ypc were extremely low, I watched first half,I thought run and pass D were stout. Think they did much better than OK. This is going to be a fun D to watch.. Edited August 27, 2017 by JerseyBills

[Rochesterfan]

 

If that was a dress rehearsal for the regular season it left us with more questions than answers! Here are my takeaways....

Good Night for......

Starting secondary - I mentioned Jordan Poyer last week and he was pretty impressive again. Micah Hyde showed up with a couple of good plays too, including one where he ended up defending a receiver in the open field 1 on 1 which shows his versatility as a guy who can play corner. There was also some encouraging play from Shareece Wright on the outside and EJ Gaines showed well later in the game too.

Charles Clay - Charles Clay gets open a lot. Once Nathan Peterman was in the game the Bills began to use the middle of the field more. This offense has a history of featuring Tight Ends.... if the Quarterbacks are willing to look and throw his way he could be in for his biggest year as a Buffalo Bill.

Brandon Reilly - Sean McDermott specifically name checked Reilly and Shorts in the week as two receivers who had an opportunity to make this team. Reilly was the Bills' top receiver on the night and had the single longest reception of the night. In a picture that is increasingly jumbled behind Zay Jones and Jordan Matthews he now seems to have a legitmate shot at making the roster.

Preston Brown - For all the talk about how the switch back to 4-3 would benefit the guys up front nobody's performance has been more transformed by with switch through three pre-season games than Preston Brown. He looks comfortable and as though he understands his responsibilities - something you could struggle to say at any point during the Rex Ryan era. He was the Bills' leading tackler and figures to play a big role this season.

Brandon Tate - Tate has been the leader in the clubhouse for the returner job since the start of camp. He provided more pop than the competition again last night and has quietly had a nice pre-season if not for some needless blocks in the back by his special teams teammates. He would now appear a lock for the roster as the main return man both in the kicking and punting disciplines.

Bad Night for......

Tyrod Taylor - Second week in a row that Tyrod finds himself here though for different reasons. Last night was supposed to be his opportunity to get out there and get in rhythm with the first team offense and that was ended in the second drive when rookie Dion Dawkins and right tackle Jordan Mills both whiffed leaving Tyrod at the mercy of two pass rushers who smashed him to the ground. Even before that Tyrod demonstrated again some uncertainty in getting the ball out on time.... he could really have used the game time exposure.

Marcell Dareus - Darues' inability to get out of his own way and stop hurting this football team is becoming a more and more serious concern. If it is, as some are speculating, purely a timekeeping issue you would expect Beane and McDermott will hope it is lesson learned and put it behind them. If it is something more serious however...... well then all bets are off. The contract makes it hard to cut ties but I do not believe it is totally out of the question if this breach was serious.

First team D-Line - The Bills first team D-Line has dominated against the Eagles and the Vikings. It took a step back against the Ravens. Adolphus Washington is not an adequate replacement for Dareus and without the big man's presence inside the Ravens found running lanes easier to come by than the Bills' two previous opponents and were able to dedicate more attention to doubling the defensive ends in pass protection. The Ravens O-line edged this battle.

Juan Castillo - This is starting to sound a bit like a personal vendetta but there were two things that made me really curse Juan Castillo last night. One was the continued insistence in putting Vlad Ducasse on the field with the first team offensive line. He struggled as much as Jordan Mills (who was downright awful.... I think 3 batted balls were from his man) and it is at the point where McDermott and Dennison need to step in. The second thing that made me curse him was the performance of the Ravens offensive line. Having seen it look a mess for two straight years under his "guidance" to the point where Flacco has taken a beating.... it looked organised, strong and efficient last night. Addition by subtraction? You better believe it.

 

Andre Holmes - Sammy is gone, Boldin hardly arrived, Streater might be headed to IR and Jordan Matthews is injuried. According to Sal, Holmes had a better week of practice and this game was a really opportunity to make his mark. One catch for 8 yards and very little sign of him being open on other plays from an initial look. You start to question whether his value as a gunner in the coverage teams is really worth his total lack of production on offense given the comp pick consideration.

As usual I look forward to your thoughts TBD....

 

 

 

I agree with some of this, but the play that TT gets hurt on - is all on TT not on the line.

 

Shotgun snap - 3 step drop - he has a guy (clay I believe) getting open at the 30 between the hash and the numbers. He is at the top of his drop and needs to let it go as Clay is making his break. He has one linebacker and if he throws it on time - it is a completion, a first down, and he is not hurt.

 

Instead - TT does the same thing he has been criticized for - he pulls the ball down and tries to escape the pocket. He has a nice pocket at the peak of his drop and a player to throw the ball to. That is all on him and that play is part of the reason he struggles. He needs to make that play, but doesn't and then he gets crushed. The O-Line (although an issue) - did their job on that play and the QB let them down.

 

Look for all of the issues I see with Peterman - that play right there is one that he would have thrown more than likely. It may have gotten batted down as that seems to be an issue, but he gets the ball out on time and to the right guys. I wish his overall accuracy was better, but considering this was the first time going against the #1s and the first time playing with these WRs and TEs - I think he did well and some of the passes that were incomplete were on the receivers and I think they struggled to understand with Petermen the ball is coming on time and Clay especially seemed a bit caught off guard. That caused a couple of drops that maybe with timing - he would not have.

 

I will say that if Peterman plays - I think the role of the TE goes up dramatically in this offense. He hits both Clay and O'Leary inside and outside the hashes and that opens up other parts of the field.

 

TT still seems reluctant to throw passes that are not out breaks to the sidelines - his only completion last night- a 1 yard gain right to the sidelines with a very late throw - so the WR had no place to go (Tate right at the OB line). His 2 official incompletions were short Left to Jones and Short Right to Clay. He also had an incompletion short to Tate that did not count because of PI on the defense giving TT his only 1st down in 2 drives.

 

JMO

Edited August 27, 2017 by Rochesterfan

[Wayne Cubed]

I really liked what I saw from Jerel Worthy. He was constantly the first guy out of his stance and was blowing up his guy. Made some nice plays too.

 

Surprised he isn't seeing more rotation in withthe 1s, why they are going with Washington, I don't know.

[Rochesterfan]

Hmm. Interesting. I thought his man was one of the two who got to Tyrod on the play that he got hurt. Will go back and look when the all 22 comes out

 

 

It was Suggs from Dawkins, but both Dawkins and Mills had their guys controlled when TT should of passed the ball.

 

The issue was TT pulls the ball down and because Mills is being driven back - he tries to step up and toward Suggs, but Suggs had pushed Dawkins back and was just begin his under move - right to where TT decided to go.

 

It TT either steps back further or throws the ball on time - there is no issue.

[Shaw66]

 

 

I agree with some of this, but the play that TT gets hurt on - is all on TT not on the line.

 

Shotgun snap - 3 step drop - he has a guy (clay I believe) getting open at the 30 between the hash and the numbers. He is at the top of his drop and needs to let it go as Clay is making his break. He has one linebacker and if he throws it on time - it is a completion, a first down, and he is not hurt.

 

Instead - TT does the same thing he has been criticized for - he pulls the ball down and tries to escape the pocket. He has a nice pocket at the peak of his drop and a player to throw the ball to. That is all on him and that play is part of the reason he struggles. He needs to make that play, but doesn't and then he gets crushed. The O-Line (although an issue) - did their job on that play and the QB let them down.

 

Look for all of the issues I see with Peterman - that play right there is one that he would have thrown more than likely. It may have gotten batted down as that seems to be an issue, but he gets the ball out on time and to the right guys. I wish his overall accuracy was better, but considering this was the first time going against the #1s and the first time playing with these WRs and TEs - I think he did well and some of the passes that were incomplete were on the receivers and I think they struggled to understand with Petermen the ball is coming on time and Clay especially seemed a bit caught off guard. That caused a couple of drops that maybe with timing - he would not have.

 

I will say that if Peterman plays - I think the role of the TE goes up dramatically in this offense. He hits both Clay and O'Leary inside and outside the hashes and that opens up other parts of the field.

 

TT still seems reluctant to throw passes that are not out breaks to the sidelines - his only completion last night- a 1 yard gain right to the sidelines with a very late throw - so the WR had no place to go (Tate right at the OB line). His 2 official incompletions were short Left to Jones and Short Right to Clay. He also had an incompletion short to Tate that did not count because of PI on the defense giving TT his only 1st down in 2 drives.

 

JMO

interesting. I didn't see it but from you description it a easy to see tt doing exactly what you describe. Three step drip the ball has to get out.

[Boatdrinks]

Ok? Did we allow a 20+ yard run? (Honestly asking, don't believe so) , I'm also almost positive their ypc were extremely low, I watched first half,I thought run and pass D were stout. Think they did much better than OK. This is going to be a fun D to watch..

Don't be fooled. It was a preseason outing against a weak offensive unit missing their starting QB to boot. Make no mistake, this will be a bottom half of the league unit at best . A classic bend but don't break outfit. Especially with the QBs they will face in the regular season and the Bills own offensive deficiencies.

[Rochesterfan]

interesting. I didn't see it but from you description it a easy to see tt doing exactly what you describe. Three step drip the ball has to get out.

This play is available in the video section of NFL.com - in the game review.

 

I think it will be more damning from the All-22, but you can see the play any time.

[LeGOATski]

interesting. I didn't see it but from you description it a easy to see tt doing exactly what you describe. Three step drip the ball has to get out.

It was notable as soon as Peterman came in that the ball gets out on time...for better or worse.

[machine gun kelly]

For those of you not living in Buffalo, and not willing to pay for pre-season access which is dumb, it is replaying tomorrow morning at 10am tomorrow on NFLN. I record them and watch when I have time.

 

I appreciate the breakdown from my fellow Buffalonians who was able to see the game. BTW- fun fight last night.

 

McGregor did better than expected especially the first five rounds. Then completely ran out of gas. You can tell he was not in boxing shape. Harder than people realize what it is like to go 10 rounds. The ref made the right call, as Mayweather would have destroyed him in the last two rounds.

[cba fan]

If I'm a Ravens fan, I'm not feeling too happy with my own QB situation. Ryan Mallett, Josh Woodrum and Thad Lewis?

They looked better than the 3 Bills QB's overall.

[Kemp2Warlick]

They looked better than the 3 Bills QB's overall.

It's a team game...I do not think any QB would look good with our Oline....going to be a long season if that does not get fixed

[EmotionallyUnstable]

It's a team game...I do not think any QB would look good with our Oline....going to be a long season if that does not get fixed

Normally I'm optimistic, especially when I drink. I'm drunk and think we are going to blow. It's going to be a long year

[Fixxxer]

 

 

I agree with some of this, but the play that TT gets hurt on - is all on TT not on the line.

 

Shotgun snap - 3 step drop - he has a guy (clay I believe) getting open at the 30 between the hash and the numbers. He is at the top of his drop and needs to let it go as Clay is making his break. He has one linebacker and if he throws it on time - it is a completion, a first down, and he is not hurt.

 

Instead - TT does the same thing he has been criticized for - he pulls the ball down and tries to escape the pocket. He has a nice pocket at the peak of his drop and a player to throw the ball to. That is all on him and that play is part of the reason he struggles. He needs to make that play, but doesn't and then he gets crushed. The O-Line (although an issue) - did their job on that play and the QB let them down.

 

Look for all of the issues I see with Peterman - that play right there is one that he would have thrown more than likely. It may have gotten batted down as that seems to be an issue, but he gets the ball out on time and to the right guys. I wish his overall accuracy was better, but considering this was the first time going against the #1s and the first time playing with these WRs and TEs - I think he did well and some of the passes that were incomplete were on the receivers and I think they struggled to understand with Petermen the ball is coming on time and Clay especially seemed a bit caught off guard. That caused a couple of drops that maybe with timing - he would not have.

 

I will say that if Peterman plays - I think the role of the TE goes up dramatically in this offense. He hits both Clay and O'Leary inside and outside the hashes and that opens up other parts of the field.

 

TT still seems reluctant to throw passes that are not out breaks to the sidelines - his only completion last night- a 1 yard gain right to the sidelines with a very late throw - so the WR had no place to go (Tate right at the OB line). His 2 official incompletions were short Left to Jones and Short Right to Clay. He also had an incompletion short to Tate that did not count because of PI on the defense giving TT his only 1st down in 2 drives.

 

JMO

 

I agree with your entire post,

 

I don't know what the problem with TT is, he either doesn't trust what he sees or doesn't want to risk a turnover. It's hard to feel optimistic with Taylor's play if he doesn't or can't make these mundane plays.