Josh Allen's progress

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[CincyBillsFan]

On 12/15/2018 at 11:26 AM, 26CornerBlitz said:

Fan mail bag question to Chris Brown:

 

1 – From @StevenKubitza: Is Josh Allen running so much due to a lack of production from the backs, or just because it is part of his game?

 

CB: Most of Josh Allen’s runs are not by design. There are a few read option plays in the game plan each week, but by and large, and coach Daboll has confirmed this, most of his runs are off scramble plays that were pass play calls.

 

There are multiple reasons Allen is doing as much running as he is. First, at this point in Allen’s career he trusts what he can get with his legs more than he trusts what he’s seeing in coverage on a pass play.

 

Not all the time, but enough of the time.

 

So as he’s surveying the field, he’s looking to make a play with his arm, but if he’s not sure, in his head he knows he can get at least six to eight yards with his legs based on the space in front of him and he takes it. He’s also had to take off and run because of poor protection.

 

That’s not a terrible thing right now at this stage of his development. We do have to remember he has only started eight games.

 

In time however, he will need to read coverages better and have a plan with contingencies pre-snap, before the play unfolds, so he has multiple answers at his disposal as the play unfolds. This will make him a more effective player in the pocket.

 

Allen isn’t running because the backs aren’t having any success. He’s running because of where his development is in reading defenses and his ability to do so.

 

Good points except the last one which I think is wrong.  The lack of a running game combined with to many 1st down penalties means we're in 1st & 2nd and long way to much.  This put's pressure on Allen to try to get some of the yards back as a way to avoid 3rd & long. 

[26CornerBlitz]

Just now, CincyBillsFan said:

 

Good points except the last one which I think is wrong.  The lack of a running game combined with to many 1st down penalties means we're in 1st & 2nd and long way to much.  This put's pressure on Allen to try to get some of the yards back as a way to avoid 3rd & long. 

 

It's exactly right. Allen has been having a great deal of success running in empty sets against man coverage with DBs having their backs turned to allow for huge chunks of yardage. 

[LSHMEAB]

1 minute ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

It's exactly right. Allen has been having a great deal of success running in empty sets against man coverage with DBs having their backs turned to allow for huge chunks of yardage. 

Yeah, I'm pretty sure he's not taking off from the pocket to pad our rushing stats.

[CincyBillsFan]

2 minutes ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

It's exactly right. Allen has been having a great deal of success running in empty sets against man coverage with DBs having their backs turned to allow for huge chunks of yardage. 

 

I agree as to the why he's getting yards my only point was that he takes off and runs in part because on 2nd & 15 (no gain run followed by a false start) he's desperate to get it to 3rd & 5. 

[26CornerBlitz]

2 minutes ago, LSHMEAB said:

Yeah, I'm pretty sure he's not taking off from the pocket to pad our rushing stats.

 

Most of his rushing yards aren't coming from designed plays unlike those by Lamar Jackson. 

 

1 minute ago, CincyBillsFan said:

 

I agree as to the why he's getting yards my only point was that he takes off and runs in part because on 2nd & 15 (no gain run followed by a false start) he's desperate to get it to 3rd & 5. 

 

He'll take off when opportunities are presented to him as he should regardless of down and distance. 

Edited December 16, 2018 by 26CornerBlitz

[The_Dude]

How'd Josh do today? I didn't watch and box scores typically don't tell the tale with Josh. 

[Roundybout]

Just now, The_Dude said:

How'd Josh do today? I didn't watch and box scores typically don't tell the tale with Josh. 

 

I think this was one of his best games. He had legitimately 100 yards dropped on one drive. We got a good one. 

[The_Dude]

1 minute ago, BillsEnthusiast said:

 

I think this was one of his best games. He had legitimately 100 yards dropped on one drive. We got a good one. 

 

Thanks!

[Dr.Sack]

Jones 1 reception on 6 targets.

Foster 4 on 5. 

 

Starting to think its going to be a new #1, new TE, with Foster & Jones maybe working out of the slot, although a shiftier athlete is better suited in that role, leaving Zay the odd man out. 

 

 

[GRHater69]

I agree that today was probably his best game yet even though the stats won't show it. He stayed in the pocket for the most part and had some big time throws, like the TD to Foster and the pass to Croom on the last drive. But these drops.......arghhhh....not his fault, but he had a lot of drops in college as well. Just frustrating to see.

 

[DuckyBoys]

Nice to see some touch passes.  Seemed like he had more time to throw once the line settled in.  Tiny bit off on a couple long balls or he would have had a big day stat wise.  Some of the red zone play calling was questionable. 

[The Frankish Reich]

I second (third?) the comment that this was Josh's best passing game. If we had Golladay instead of Zay, I think we'd be talking about that elusive 300 yard game.  Well, maybe 270 ... lots of nice touch passes, a bunch of balls that were right there for the catching even if they ultimately weren't hauled in. Some really good progress today...

[ColoradoBills]

44 minutes ago, The_Dude said:

How'd Josh do today? I didn't watch and box scores typically don't tell the tale with Josh. 

 

It seems he was told to throw first and keep the running down.

He had a couple of balls he put some air under that were pretty.

Had those drops again but had some really nice mid ranged over the middle passes.

 

He took another step forward......so on to NE!

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[DJB]

Most of his throws could have been caught today. He had a couple throwaways but the majority of his passes were good. 

 

The almost INT was his worst pass of the day

[Bill_with_it]

Just now, DJB said:

Most of his throws could have been caught today. He had a couple throwaways but the majority of his passes were good. 

 

The almost INT was his worst pass of the day

That pass wasnt even what i would characterize as bad; more of a fantastic play by a defender.

[Juice_32]

2 hours ago, The Frankish Reich said:

I second (third?) the comment that this was Josh's best passing game. If we had Golladay instead of Zay, I think we'd be talking about that elusive 300 yard game.  Well, maybe 270 ... lots of nice touch passes, a bunch of balls that were right there for the catching even if they ultimately weren't hauled in. Some really good progress today...

 

I said the same thing about Golladay. That guy made Stafford look good today. I hope we can get Josh a big time WR and TE.

[26CornerBlitz]

12 hours ago, DJB said:

Most of his throws could have been caught today. He had a couple throwaways but the majority of his passes were good. 

 

The almost INT was his worst pass of the day

 

The deep pass to DT could have been caught.  The pass OTM to Zay should have been along with one more at least that I would call a drop. 

[Rochesterfan]

14 hours ago, ColoradoBills said:

 

It seems he was told to throw first and keep the running down.

He had a couple of balls he put some air under that were pretty.

Had those drops again but had some really nice mid ranged over the middle passes.

 

He took another step forward......so on to NE!

 

 

I don’t think he was told to throw first and keep the running down - I believe that is what the Lions defense dictated.

 

The Lions were running their version of the NE/NYJ defense used against Tyrod - slow rush from the edges - pressure the middle - keep a LB/safety near the middle to spy.  It was designed to try and minimize escape lanes and prevent him from running and make him beat you from the pocket.

 

The difference is Allen did just that - he made the plays with his arm from the pocket to win.  A little help from his own receivers or a PI call for Zay when he tried coming back for the ball and his numbers look better and they force the defense to react - maybe opening those lanes back up.

[eball]

Easily Josh's best game as a passer in his early career.  Was on the money all day long.  If his receivers fight for the ball he has at least 2-3 more lengthy completions.  Threw it away rather than risking INTs.

 

I am very excited for the last two games of the season, but especially next year when the OL/receiver issues are addressed.

[FeelingOnYouboty]

Yesterday he showed some touch. I felt like I was watching Happy Gilmore learning how to putt.

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[FeelingOnYouboty]

Earlier this year we beat the Titans 14-13 and I was very depressed about Josh Allen's showing. Fast forward to yesterday we beat the Lions by the exact same scoreline and I feel better than ever about him. 

 

We beat the Titans in spite of him. We beat the Lions because of him. He's progressing and that's all we wanted out of this year. 

[oldmanfan]

I like what I see from the kid.  The only real criticism I'd have from yesterday is he did that thing again when he was scrambling to his right and threw across his body again towards the middle of the field and almost got picked.  He has to stop doing that.

[thebandit27]

16 minutes ago, oldmanfan said:

I like what I see from the kid.  The only real criticism I'd have from yesterday is he did that thing again when he was scrambling to his right and threw across his body again towards the middle of the field and almost got picked.  He has to stop doing that.

 

True...but then again:

 

https://www.buffalobills.com/video/josh-allen-rolls-out-to-find-chris-ivory-for-a-big-55-yard-catch-and-run

[BillsMafia13]

45 minutes ago, FeelingOnYouboty said:

Yesterday he showed some touch. I felt like I was watching Happy Gilmore learning how to putt.

This is such a perfect comparison haha

[Stank_Nasty]

6 minutes ago, thebandit27 said:

 

True...but then again:

 

https://www.buffalobills.com/video/josh-allen-rolls-out-to-find-chris-ivory-for-a-big-55-yard-catch-and-run

I also think I recall a pass to McCoy of the same style that went for a large gain on the first drive in the Texans game..... and then obviously the play to zay in Miami. 

[thebandit27]

1 minute ago, Stank_Nasty said:

I also think I recall a pass to McCoy of the same style that went for a large gain on the first drive in the Texans game..... and then obviously the play to zay in Miami. 

 

Good call.

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[BillsMafia13]

1 hour ago, eball said:

Easily Josh's best game as a passer in his early career.  Was on the money all day long.  If his receivers fight for the ball he has at least 2-3 more lengthy completions.  Threw it away rather than risking INTs.

 

I am very excited for the last two games of the season, but especially next year when the OL/receiver issues are addressed.

This^^. Im 28 but idt i've ever been as excited about a QB here in Buffalo.  His tools are top notch but his drive to win and focus on getting better is only going to jump with a year of experience and a better oline/weapons, which is impossible to downgrade so. He'll still make the occasional dumb mistake but hand up I was wrong about wanting him to sit a year.  The kids going to ball out for us

[WhyteDwarf]

His completion percentage is still quite worrisome.  I don't believe he will go from ~50% to ~65% simply with "better" receivers next season, could be a real problem long term.  They showed a stat during yesterdays game, Stafford is ~67% on the year so far, that's where Allen needs to be someday.

[thebandit27]

2 minutes ago, WhyteDwarf said:

His completion percentage is still quite worrisome.  I don't believe he will go from ~50% to ~65% simply with "better" receivers next season, could be a real problem long term.  They showed a stat during yesterdays game, Stafford is ~67% on the year so far, that's where Allen needs to be someday.

 

Um, why do we want him to be Stafford?

[WhyteDwarf]

1 minute ago, thebandit27 said:

 

Um, why do we want him to be Stafford?

 

That's what you get out of that?  Oh my...

[racketmaster]

11 minutes ago, WhyteDwarf said:

His completion percentage is still quite worrisome.  I don't believe he will go from ~50% to ~65% simply with "better" receivers next season, could be a real problem long term.  They showed a stat during yesterdays game, Stafford is ~67% on the year so far, that's where Allen needs to be someday.

I don't think Allen's completion percentage will be near the top of the league anytime soon but I don't think it is that big a deal. First, he needs better weapons that will catch some of the passes that are being dropped. A reliable #1 type tight end on this team could go a long way in giving the young qb a security blanket over the middle. We have already found better receiving options in McKenzie and Foster and more help will be on the way next year. Second, Allen is much more of a chunk yardage qb. He will never be the Alex Smith dink and dunk type. He is not going to throw an endless amount of bubble screens and short crossers. He has mobility to extend plays, a big arm and the confidence to throw downfield. He attempts more difficult throws and there are big payoffs when he hits. The downside is that there are more incompletions. But I'll take his style any day over the safe dink and dunk qb. On 3rd and 15, I actually think the Bills have a chance to pick up a first down and I don't recall feeling that way since maybe the Bledsoe days.

Edited December 17, 2018 by racketmaster

[thebandit27]

6 minutes ago, WhyteDwarf said:

 

That's what you get out of that?  Oh my...

 

I'm trying to understand why you care what Matt Stafford's completion percentage was on a day where he basically made zero plays with his arm that didn't involve him heaving up a prayer for Kenny Golladay

[WhyteDwarf]

Just now, racketmaster said:

But I'll take his style any day over the safe dink and dunk qb.

 

As long as he wins SB's, sure.

Just now, thebandit27 said:

 

I'm trying to understand why you care what Matt Stafford's completion percentage was on a day where he basically made zero plays with his arm that didn't involve him heaving up a prayer for Kenny Golladay

 

iirc the stat was not for the game, but for the season...

[eball]

16 minutes ago, WhyteDwarf said:

His completion percentage is still quite worrisome.  I don't believe he will go from ~50% to ~65% simply with "better" receivers next season, could be a real problem long term.  They showed a stat during yesterdays game, Stafford is ~67% on the year so far, that's where Allen needs to be someday.

 

You chose this as your first post?  Really?  Stat box critics are trash.  Josh did everything we want out of a QB yesterday and threw maybe two bad passes all day.

[SCBills]

Hey Josh, we know your OL is shambles and you only have 2 WR's that you can count on, and oh, by the way, here's two random guys at RB and one of them is going to get hurt in the first half.   Go win a game.

 

Josh (with a strong defense) - Done.

[WhyteDwarf]

1 minute ago, eball said:

 

You chose this as your first post?  Really?  Stat box critics are trash.  Josh did everything we want out of a QB yesterday and threw maybe two bad passes all day.

 

Yeah, a win is a win.  But it was the lions.  We'll see long term how this works out.