THE ROCKPILE REVIEW - All So Improbable

[Shaw66]

4 hours ago, Figster said:

Or we could go with some continuity for a change?

I really think people have to tune in to the McDermott way.  He might replace Dennison, but I seriously doubt.   

 

He wanted Dennison, he brought him to Buffalo, and McDermott isn't going to be disloyal to him by cutting loose after a year.   Loyalty is part of the McDermott way. 

 

But McDermott isn't going to accept less than excellence.  He will spend a lot of time in the off-season, working with Dennison to improve the offense.   That work will start right away if they think Taylor is the QB; it'll be delayed a bit if they think they're making a QB change.   But whenever and however they do it, we're going to see a revised offense next season.  The principles won't change, but the run-pass mix almost certainly will change.  They'll be scheming for Benjamin, scheming for Thompson.  It'll still be conservative, because McDermott has shown us that's who he is.   

 

It's foolish to think that what we saw this season is what we'll see next season.   McDermott is about improvement, not status quo.  

[Ayjent]

It was a bizzaro scenario for the Bills - a series of events that just hasn’t gone the Bills way in forever.  The Bills aren’t an exciting or particularly impressive team in any particular aspect other than heart and determination.

 

The team had some highs and lows and if you were to ask me whether the staff was good I’d say hmm...lots to like, lots to dislike, but you have to give the staff credit for keeping the train from going way off the rails after that horrendous stretch following the 5-2 start.  Maybe not the best game day and Xs and Os coaching, but mental prep and getting team to have an undeniable work ethic is clearly present and has a lot of merit.   They could be better for sure, but still an impressive feat.  

 

I like Tyrod and I think you can do much worse at QB, but at the same time I understand the criticism and desire for a more explosive passing game.  However, you don’t get rid of a guy as good as him without being sure you have a better option.  I think that there was an embarasiing amount of hubris starting Peterman.  It was really an ill timed decision and even more Ill conceived game plan against that defense. Moreover, if there was any need to change starting personnel they should've started on the OLine considering how poorly they played in the 2 prior games.   If they get a chance in the first or second round round with a guy great, go for it, but no need to trade up giving up away draft position or picks.  This team still needs an infusion of cheap, gifted young talent to build a long term winner. 

 

I think McDermott has put together a good teaching staff, not necessarily chess masters on game day though.  I think the staff remains intact, but I’d like to see the team evolve more to the talent they have rather than rigidity in scheme.  Although I think they did evolve some during the season after the rough patch. 

Edited January 2, 2018 by Ayjent

[transplantbillsfan]

Good stuff Shaw.

 

I know it sounds like a copout, but I actually think Taylor is executing what McDermott largely wants quite effectively.

 

Grab a lead and then just play safe as possible and protect it.

 

It's become increasingly obvious throughout the season that much of this late game "turtling" (to coin a phrase from another poster) is more a product of coaching and game planning than anything.

 

PS: bringing Freddy back would be awesome, but it's never gonna happen. My Freddy jersey will be on my back on Sunday, regardless.

Edited January 2, 2018 by transplantbillsfan

[Royale with Cheese]

4 hours ago, transplantbillsfan said:

Good stuff Shaw.

 

I know it sounds like a copout, but I actually think Taylor is executing what McDermott largely wants quite effectively.

 

Grab a lead and then just play safe as possible and protect it.

 

It's become increasingly obvious throughout the season that much of this late game "turtling" (to coin a phrase from another poster) is more a product of coaching and game planning than anything.

 

PS: bringing Freddy back would be awesome, but it's never gonna happen. My Freddy jersey will be on my back on Sunday, regardless.

 

The fact that McDermott benched Taylor when they were above .500 and in the 6th spot means that he wasn’t happy with the way Taylor was executing the offense.  

[Royale with Cheese]

10 hours ago, Billsfan1972 said:

Why the dislike for Tyrod? Yet again terrible play calling the second half and every run was telegraphed resulting in in second and long as usual.

 

Dennison is a dumpster fire and tyrod is blamed?

 

Every qb misses throws and watched Brady yesterday miss many (including an easy TD).  

 

Cut him some slack.

 

How about the defense allowing a no name to almost win it for Miami.  

 

You’re seriously blaming our defense when they held Miami to 9 points for 58 minutes?   Not only that, that unit closed out the game.

You are so misguided it’s bizarre.

Edited January 2, 2018 by Royale with Cheese

[ProcessTheTrust]

We have every right to rejoice in our long awaited return to the post-season. At the same time, we can't ignore the new regime is locked into making us a SB contender, not a team that had so many fortunate things allowing us to snag a WC in a weak AFC this year. I don't think they make decisions this off-season any differently than as if Baltimore would have held on 2 days ago. I can't see them agreeing on keeping TT and Rico. That combo is atrocious.

[Xwnyer]

Great write up.   Sometimes however I think the killer instinct we need n offense is not just a Tyron issue but Dennison.  He comes out early in the game with new plays, spreads and the team moves down the field with precision than for some reason we see Tolbert thrown in or a run out of a bunch formation that loses five yards or the play calling becomes conservative at best.   Classic example was after the first two successful drives against Miami it was like he went into prevent mode on play calling.   Sure TT misses targets a lot but seems less aggressive after first and second series .   I agree let a QB fall to you move up a few spots if ya need to but these ideas about using entire draft or much of it to get a QB are insane.  We need better DL,OL and LB 

Edited January 2, 2018 by Xwnyer

[Shaw66]

3 hours ago, ProcessTheTrust said:

We have every right to rejoice in our long awaited return to the post-season. At the same time, we can't ignore the new regime is locked into making us a SB contender, not a team that had so many fortunate things allowing us to snag a WC in a weak AFC this year. I don't think they make decisions this off-season any differently than as if Baltimore would have held on 2 days ago. I can't see them agreeing on keeping TT and Rico. That combo is atrocious.

As I said, I think this is a misread of McDermott.  He believes he, his coaches and his players all will improve next season.  He will study the offense, work with Dennison to change things he didn't like, and work with Taylor unless Taylor's replacement comes along. 

[richardb1952]

When we look back at this weekend, I wonder what will be most remembered;

1.  Kyle's TD run

2.  Dalton's TD throw on 4th and 12 from 49 yard line with 44 seconds left in game.

 

I have to admit, I was surprised that Kyle was the one to score and didn't realize it until after the play.

The Dalton pass to T. Boyd absolutely stunned me.

Edited January 2, 2018 by richardb1952

[Spiderweb]

19 hours ago, Figster said:

I look at it this way,

 

while Dennison and T T may not be a perfect fit the current coaching staff (and QB) did somethig no other Bills coaching staff could do in 17 years.

 

Don't rock the boat...

In a game that demands you must continually improve or get out of the way, it's hard to not want to look for a new QB. Taylor has his pluses, but his minuses too often outweigh them. Virtually no ability to orchestrate come from behind victories which speaks volumes. Holds to ball too long, waits for receivers to get wide open and hasn't learned how to throw a receiver open. He's a very likeable guy and one heck of an athlete, but a very middle of the road QB unfortunately.

[Figster]

14 hours ago, Shaw66 said:

I really think people have to tune in to the McDermott way.  He might replace Dennison, but I seriously doubt.   

 

He wanted Dennison, he brought him to Buffalo, and McDermott isn't going to be disloyal to him by cutting loose after a year.   Loyalty is part of the McDermott way. 

 

But McDermott isn't going to accept less than excellence.  He will spend a lot of time in the off-season, working with Dennison to improve the offense.   That work will start right away if they think Taylor is the QB; it'll be delayed a bit if they think they're making a QB change.   But whenever and however they do it, we're going to see a revised offense next season.  The principles won't change, but the run-pass mix almost certainly will change.  They'll be scheming for Benjamin, scheming for Thompson.  It'll still be conservative, because McDermott has shown us that's who he is.   

 

It's foolish to think that what we saw this season is what we'll see next season.   McDermott is about improvement, not status quo.  

Good observation Shaw and when you combine talent , loyalty and excellence which is what the McD/Beane regime is trying to accomplish the end results is a very smart, flexible football team that can be coached up enough to win a Championship in my humble opinion.

 

I'm a Billiever...

 

[Figster]

1 hour ago, Spiderweb said:

In a game that demands you must continually improve or get out of the way, it's hard to not want to look for a new QB. Taylor has his pluses, but his minuses too often outweigh them. Virtually no ability to orchestrate come from behind victories which speaks volumes. Holds to ball too long, waits for receivers to get wide open and hasn't learned how to throw a receiver open. He's a very likeable guy and one heck of an athlete, but a very middle of the road QB unfortunately.

I have mixed feeling because T T had his best weapon, one he worked all off season to build chemistry with traded right before the season started.

 

Good chemistry doesn't happen over night, knowing a players tendency takes time/ practice and before you can build good chemistry the O has to all be on the same page IMO. I get the need for improvement, but some continuity can help improve an Offensive unit in my humble opinion. Especially from the QB position that has seen as many OC changes as he has seasons starting for the Buffalo Bills.

 

with all due respect sir

 

Edited January 2, 2018 by Figster

[Shaw66]

2 hours ago, Spiderweb said:

In a game that demands you must continually improve or get out of the way, it's hard to not want to look for a new QB. Taylor has his pluses, but his minuses too often outweigh them. Virtually no ability to orchestrate come from behind victories which speaks volumes. Holds to ball too long, waits for receivers to get wide open and hasn't learned how to throw a receiver open. He's a very likeable guy and one heck of an athlete, but a very middle of the road QB unfortunately.

I think they're definitely in the market for a QB. I just don't think they should go to extraordinary measures to take one in this draft.  That is I'm not trading up. 

[Figster]

19 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

I think they're definitely in the market for a QB. I just don't think they should go to extraordinary measures to take one in this draft.  That is I'm not trading up. 

I agree,  McD's criteria from a players perspective I think differs somewhat from other HC in the league and the QB he's looking for may not be the most talented signal caller in the next draft class in my humble opinion.

 

Tyrod Taylor (and Nate Peterman) gives the McD/Beane regime a reason not to reach IMO. 

Edited January 2, 2018 by Figster

[JohnBonhamRocks]

Great read, as usual!

 

Re: Taylor, I think he is the perfect bridge QB and am for keeping him another year. I want him teaching our rookie QB how to (a) protect the football, (b) work hard, and (c) be a humble leader.

 

However, I disagree in that, if OBD thinks a QB in the draft is a franchise-type prospect, then they 100% should trade whatever is needed to get that guy. 

Edited January 2, 2018 by JohnBonhamRocks

[Figster]

3 minutes ago, JohnBonhamRocks said:

Great read, as usual!

 

Re: Taylor, I think he is the perfect bridge QB and am for keeping him another year. I want him teaching our rookie QB how to (a) protect the football, (b) work hard, and (c) be a humble leader.

 

However, I disagree in that, if OBD thinks a QB in the draft is a franchise-type prospect, then you 100% trade whatever you need to trade to get that guy. 

I get that , I really do, but without a good supporting cast the QB you draft is destined for failure IMO.

 

Can you imagine what McD's D could do with an elite pass rusher?

[JohnBonhamRocks]

4 minutes ago, Figster said:

I get that , I really do, but without a good supporting cast the QB you draft is destined for failure IMO.

 

Can you imagine what McD's D could do with an elite pass rusher?

 

I hear you. I also think seeing what McD can do with under the radar pick-ups like Hyde, Poyer, Gaines, and Yarbrough, as well as a late round pick like Milano, I am less worried about stocking up the D. 

 

I also doubt trading up for a QB would cost all of our picks. We could probably still retain a 2nd and/or our 3rd, plus then we still have a 4th, two 5ths, and our 7th. I also anticipate Glenn being a piece included in a potential trade-up offer. 

 

That said, I do hope we invest heavily into the D-line, so long as it is not at the expense of drafting a QB prospect who OBD likes. 

[SoCal Deek]

Shaw

Here's my take:  Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.  Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

 

Most of us have suffered through 17 years of pure, unwavering mediocrity. Through it all the team was never all that good, and only once, so bad as to be deserving of a truly top pick (Dareus). The drought had to end some time. Why not this year, in one of the years that nobody predicted it would?

 

I couldn't care less what happens on Sunday. I am just glad to be off the 'snide'!  To be honest, this looks like a one and done season, and I would not be surprised to drop back right out again next year....but... I'm going to remain OVER THE TOP THRILLED ALL THIS WEEK and through the entire off-season.  The long winter is finally over!

 

Go Bills

[Figster]

3 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

Shaw

Here's my take:  Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.  Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

 

Most of us have suffered through 17 years of pure, unwavering mediocrity. Through it all the team was never all that good, and only once, so bad as to be deserving of a truly top pick (Dareus). The drought had to end some time. Why not this year, in one of the years that nobody predicted it would?

 

I couldn't care less what happens on Sunday. I am just glad to be off the 'snide'!  To be honest, this looks like a one and done season, and I would not be surprised to drop back right out again next year....but... I'm going to remain OVER THE TOP THRILLED ALL THIS WEEK and through the entire off-season.  The long winter is finally over!

 

Go Bills

I think when most fans looked at the schedule before the season started the thought of making the playoffs seemed remote and even the biggest homers like myself predicted 9 - 7 or tops 10 - 6 . Most of us homers have repeated this prediction for 17 years.

 

I don't think McD and company accomplished making the playoffs blindly nor do I see the Bills taking two steps backwards next season..

 

Its the dawning of a New Era in my humble opinion.

 

I'm a Billiever...

 

[SoCal Deek]

3 minutes ago, Figster said:

I think when most fans looked at the schedule before the season started the thought of making the playoffs seemed remote and even the biggest homers like myself predicted 9 - 7 or tops 10 - 6 . Most of us homers have repeated this prediction for 17 years.

 

I don't think McD and company accomplished making the playoffs blindly nor do I see the Bills taking two steps backwards next season..

 

Its the dawning of a New Era in my humble opinion.

 

I'm a Billiever...

 

Figster...I like the way you roll!  But, IMHO this team is bound to get worse before it gets better.  There are holes everywhere, and while it's nice that we have all these draft picks, it's hard to believe that they are ALL going to pan out.  Once again....I am now finally, just going to enjoy every minute of it!