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Anyone else annoyed by play calling? Or lack there of?

Steptide

By Steptide
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Steptide All Pro

Steptide

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We're officially eliminated from playoffs. Is it just me or is the play calling just incredibly weak? I'm not only pointing this out because we played a very ugly game today, I complained about this last week in the game day thread quite a bit. 

 

Why are they being so conservative on offense? And defense come to think of it. What's the point? McDermott talks about "valuable" reps for these young players, so why not get a little more creative? Yes I know this team lacks serious talent. But why not try and run a little no huddle? I just don't get why this coaching staff doesn't try and take advantage of a few meaningless games, and try some creativity on offense and defense. 

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The Frankish Reich All Pro

The Frankish Reich

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1 hour ago, LABILLBACKER said:

Down 24-12, why would we not attempt a 2 pt conversion? 

Or how about down 18, 6:40 left, 4th and 12, punt.  3 score lead!  Are you actually trying to, like, win the game, or are you trying to keep the deficit "respectable" whatever that might mean? Did McDermott have money on the Pats to cover (which, of course, they didn't! It's a moral victory!)

As for play calling ... look who's out there now at the skill positions:

- Keith Ford, street free agent signed a couple weeks ago

- Zay Jones now counts as the "veteran" WR, in his 2nd year (and a slow learner to boot)

- Robert Foster, practice squad guy earlier this year, is the #1; Deonte Thompson, of the storied mystical-magical rapport with Tyrod (meaning he actually caught a couple of longish passes last year), is now the #3; Isaiah McKenzie, street punt returner, is now the lead slot guy.

- Clay a healthy scratch, so a converted QB and a converted future son-in-law are your two TEs

-  Josh Allen, a rookie who missed about 1/3 of the season (and a slow learner to boot) is your QB

None of this screams "let's install all those complex Brady-Belichick Route Trees and drill Josh on going through his progressions and getting rid of the ball in 2.1 seconds just like we did in NE" ... rather, Daboll just installed good old fashioned pick-up flag football, my dorm against yours on the afternoon that finals end as our default offense. (Arians said as much in the 4th quarter when he talked about actually trying to complete passes within 20 yards of the line of scrimmage instead of looking deep every play.) And given what he has to work with, I can't really blame him.  But the problem is it only works if your QB is running around like a maniac trying to reinjure that golden million dollar arm, and apparently he's been told not to do that anymore.

Edited by The Frankish Reich
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Maine-iac Veteran

Maine-iac

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1 hour ago, Steptide said:

We're officially eliminated from playoffs. Is it just me or is the play calling just incredibly weak? I'm not only pointing this out because we played a very ugly game today, I complained about this last week in the game day thread quite a bit. 

 

Why are they being so conservative on offense? And defense come to think of it. What's the point? McDermott talks about "valuable" reps for these young players, so why not get a little more creative? Yes I know this team lacks serious talent. But why not try and run a little no huddle? I just don't get why this coaching staff doesn't try and take advantage of a few meaningless games, and try some creativity on offense and defense. 

We left at least a handful of very good plays on the field with drops, lost balls, or fumbles.  Allen also threw a couple of bad picks.  Get rid of the picks, make a few more catches, don't fumble and I think we are in this game.  Wouldn't hurt to take McCoy off the field and sit him next to Clay.  He just can't seem to get positive yardage on most plays.

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zonabb Veteran

zonabb

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I've been underwhelmed with Daboll all season, mainly because I was told how good he was going to be and how he'll be creative. Then I, you know, watch other NFL games and see none of the playcalling by other teams here. I know the WRs suck. I know the OL is bad. But you see limited use of RBs in the passing game, which is unbelievable with a rookie QB. I think that's the biggest problem, not utilizing RBs as wideouts. Part of it is Allen, who makes a lot of bad decisions, some of are the maddening f'in refusal to throw into the flat when he should. And really, if you would have told me that Allen would start what 11 games and have 7 TDs I would have been mortified, as I am about his future prospects. He has not improved his accuracy or footwork on iota. The homers can say all you want, this far into it, you should see improvement and you don't. How many off the back foot bad throws today? How many headscracthingly inaccurate passes today? He's not getting better anywhere. Still can't read a defense, got owned today. So part of Daboll's suckitude is, in the end, because of Allen's suckitude.

 

Going to be a long 2019 as well. 

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BillyWhiteShows RFA

BillyWhiteShows

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Problem again is the talent.  Remember many considered this to be the worst offensive talent assembled in the NFL.  When your WR’s are UFA’s, and you have zero running game because the OL is so bad you really are limited.  Now throw a rookie QB into the mix that many considered to be a project.  

 

Today, I saw more player breakdowns than I did with coaching.

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Augie Hall of Famer

Augie

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I think “lack thereof” is a problem. We called a play every time. You might not have liked the call.

 

Was it the Packers who failed to get a draft pick up in time? At least we called a play. Were they good plays? Well, I can’t get all behind that. 

 

.

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SCBills Hall of Famer

SCBills

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I honestly don’t know how to evaluate him.  He annoyed me a lot today but if you step back, what can he even do besides let Allen chuck it 60 times per game like its backyard football?

 

We have a dumpster fire OL than can’t run block, pass block or execute a screen play. 

 

We have one good WR and a bunch of muppets. 

 

No tight ends.  

 

Then he dials up successful TD plays and Foster loses it in the sun or Logan Thomas high-points it like Stuart from Mad TV. 

 

Edited by SCBills
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billspro Veteran

billspro

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4 hours ago, Steptide said:

We're officially eliminated from playoffs. Is it just me or is the play calling just incredibly weak? I'm not only pointing this out because we played a very ugly game today, I complained about this last week in the game day thread quite a bit. 

 

Why are they being so conservative on offense? And defense come to think of it. What's the point? McDermott talks about "valuable" reps for these young players, so why not get a little more creative? Yes I know this team lacks serious talent. But why not try and run a little no huddle? I just don't get why this coaching staff doesn't try and take advantage of a few meaningless games, and try some creativity on offense and defense. 

 

I get frustrated with the play calling at times. I think Daboll is a decent OC, he does manufacture some offence. I think the real issue is there is just no talent other than Allen. They are playing as well as they can with this group IMO.

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PolishDave Veteran

PolishDave

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A better offensive game plan would have included more Run Pass Options and a lot, lot more empty sets with Allen operating from the gun.   They should have gone to shotgun empty set after the end of the first quarter.   It was obvious this was going to be another pathetic run day if they were going the traditional route.

 

I don't think the coaches cared that they lost today.   Seemed like a traditional football, relatively vanilla, play all the young guys, preseason game.   They ran basic plays to see who could execute.   Didn't call the game like they were trying to win at all costs.    And this is the result.   Lucky the defense played as well as they did in the passing game.   Otherwise, Patriots put up 50-60 today.    Daboll sucked today.   Dline and linebackers sucked today.

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Nihilarian Veteran

Nihilarian

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Daboll might have the New England Patriots play book... but he has no idea how to use it like they do.

 

The Patriots QB Brady had one of the very worst games I've ever seen him play with only 13 of 24 for 126 yards passing, 2 INTs. So what does Pats OC McDaniel's do? He ran the ball down the Bills throat for 47 attempts for 273 yards. Michel rushed 18 times for 116 yards with a 6.7 YPC average. All they did was move the chains by running the ball with 15 first downs rushing, thus controlling the clock and ToP.

 

The Bills meanwhile asked the rookie QB to carry the game in a stadium that rookie QBs never fair well in! And to the tune of 41 passing attempts vs only 18 rush attempts. Ford did okay with a 4.7 YPC average but was only asked to run 7 times. 

 

The Bills offense was a complete joke against NE by asking Allen to carry the team with a mid to deep passing scheme too. If the Bills needed 5 yards for a first down this OC wouldn't call a 6 yard out and instead called for a mid to deep pass play that takes time to develop. This with a bad O line and lousy receiving corps.

 

McKenzie targeted 8 times in the passing game caught one ball. The Bills receivers were targeted 40 times and caught only 20 balls. The offensive players might be bad, but the run game coordinator/offensive coordinator are just as bad. Dunno why the special teams coach still has a job either.

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Ol Dirty B Veteran

Ol Dirty B

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4 hours ago, BillsFan130 said:

I’m not a fan of daboll for the most part. He had a nice little stretch for a few games where he got creative and utilized a lot of jet motion, but for whatever reason he stopped doing it the past 2 games.

 

 

Season has been over. I'm usually pretty critical of them. But NFL coaches are like the most paranoid breed out there. Maybe I'm being too generous but I wouldn't he surprised if they were already treating this like the preseason.

 

Use young guys, vanilla offense, see what they can do with that if they are worth keeping. Minimize what you put on tape, because I'm a pretty sure Daboll will be back. He showed creativity in desperation games to keep the season alive, then after that it seems as if he just doesn't want to show his cards.

 

Again, that could be a convenient excuse but I do think an element of it exists. 

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Steptide All Pro

Steptide

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9 hours ago, PolishDave said:

A better offensive game plan would have included more Run Pass Options and a lot, lot more empty sets with Allen operating from the gun.   They should have gone to shotgun empty set after the end of the first quarter.   It was obvious this was going to be another pathetic run day if they were going the traditional route.

 

I don't think the coaches cared that they lost today.   Seemed like a traditional football, relatively vanilla, play all the young guys, preseason game.   They ran basic plays to see who could execute.   Didn't call the game like they were trying to win at all costs.    And this is the result.   Lucky the defense played as well as they did in the passing game.   Otherwise, Patriots put up 50-60 today.    Daboll sucked today.   Dline and linebackers sucked today.

My thoughts exactly. I just can't figure out why they're not taking advantage of these meaningless games and trying some new things 

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Nuncha Veteran

Nuncha

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On 12/23/2018 at 10:57 PM, frostbitmic said:

That would eliminate the forward pass from the playbook ... We have no one who can catch a football.

One guy that couldn't catch was cut, another benched, and the third is still playing because they have nobody else.  Foster and McKenzie can catch, and I think McCoy can too.  Play calling has been bad all year with the exception of a couple games.(Vikings, Jets) Will they keep Daboll as OC, or move in another direction?  My gut tells me he's done here.

 

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Chris66 RFA

Chris66

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52 minutes ago, Bangarang said:

 

What is the NE system exactly?

Its based on the Earhert-Perkins system. Charlie Weiss and BB took it a step further. Its basically concepts that allow any play to be ran out of any formation. What makes it difficult is each receiver has multiple route options on each play depending what the defense is showing. The qb and receivers have to be in sync and able to read the play pre snap, but also be able to adjust if the defense shows something different after the snap.

 

A lot of good receivers coulnt grasp it. Ocho Cinco comes to mind as well as Reggie wayne.

 

I should have stated that Allen isnt ready to run the full concepts yet. Im sure Daboll has limited the route options as well as how many and what formations he is using

Edited by Chris66
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CEN-CAL17 Veteran

CEN-CAL17

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My only thing with the offense is this team should have recognized early on they have zero run game.

 

Substitute your run game with a short passing game.

 

If Daboll calls a run play on 1st & 10, and opponents D has 8 in the box or if the CB/Slot defender is 9, 10 yards off.... audible, 1 yards hitch pivot and throw and possibly pick up 3,4,5 yards vs. 8 in the box and we run losing 2 yards.

 

Most of this year has been 2nd & long and too many 3rd downs. 

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klos63 Veteran

klos63

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On 12/23/2018 at 6:58 PM, BuffaloButt said:

Can we call some creative plays, trick plays, sweeps?  Seemed very vanilla like a preseason game.  Run up the middle, run up the middle,  pass deep (incomplete), punt.  Do some unorthodox stuff, were already out of the playoffs!

Still need talent to run trick plays, probably exceptional talent. We don't have it. Can't get blood out of a stone.

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row_33 Hall of Famer

row_33

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On 12/24/2018 at 8:21 AM, Steptide said:

My thoughts exactly. I just can't figure out why they're not taking advantage of these meaningless games and trying some new things 

 

Teams have their system and do not deviate

 

top college teams keep running the option even when up 54-0 and won’t let their QB drop back and maybe learn the way to play in the pros 

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Thriftygamer83 RFA

Thriftygamer83

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You cannot fault Daboll he’s found weaknesses in analysis and Allen puts the ball consistently where a clutch receiver would get it.  Sadly, at present Zay and Croom have regressed into being all but useless.  With Foster showcasing what could be when you have breakdowns in mental concentration sometimes you have to look at the players.  Not just the scheme Zay hasn’t clicked here in the clutch.  

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