YoloinOhio Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Bills' Dion Dawkins feels he’s on ‘hot seat’ after taking foot off gas pedal This is the next in a series analyzing the Buffalo Bills’ most significant questions entering the offseason. Part 9: Is Dion Dawkins a legitimate starter at left tackle? Dion Dawkins doesn’t need anyone to tell him he didn’t perform nearly as well in his second season with the Bills as he did in his first. He’s more than willing to rip his own performance to shreds. https://buffalonews.com/2019/01/14/buffalo-bills-dion-dawkins-juan-castillo-temple-university-nfl-football-vic-carucci/ Carucci says it was widely speculated that Castillo shouldered the blame for Dawkins’ struggles: Dawkins expresses remorse for Castillo’s firing. He also emphatically defends the work of his former position coach. “Juan is a great coach and if it wasn't for Juan, my rookie season would have never been the way that it was,” Dawkins said. “Juan changed the entire way that I pass set and that run-block and that I think. And that second year, I just kind of thought, 'OK, I've got this,' which I really didn't. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat68 Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 That takes alot for a player but any man in general to do. Admit your own weakness and failures. I am pleasantly surprised by this and I would be confident moving forward with at tackle after it. If he attacks the offense and gets better, the line will be better. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADOLBILZ Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 3 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said: Bills' Dion Dawkins feels he’s on ‘hot seat’ after taking foot off gas pedal https://buffalonews.com/2019/01/14/buffalo-bills-dion-dawkins-juan-castillo-temple-university-nfl-football-vic-carucci/ Carucci says it was widely speculated that Castillo shouldered the blame for Dawkins’ struggles: Makes sense. The message was clear..........Juan wasn't getting the expected results out of the players. They liked him and all and liked hanging out at his house and stuff(I imagine McD didn't love that) but they weren't giving him full effort. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlbillsfan1975 Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Good article. Dawkins has everything to be a great leader IF he can get his play to match his character. I’m sure the coaches will tell Dawkins if he wants to be a LT he has to play like one. I want to believe Dawkins learned how hard he has to approach this next season and each game. It would be really nice to have one less spot to fill on the line. seems Dawkins liked Juan a lot and feels partially responsible for Juan being fired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Well.....glad that he owns it and hopefully it makes a real difference. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted January 15, 2019 Author Share Posted January 15, 2019 Sounds like he could be moved to RT or G depending on who we acquire. As in, they won’t look at only the other positions on the line to upgrade. That’s the right idea. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
formerlyofCtown Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 (edited) 9 hours ago, YoloinOhio said: Bills' Dion Dawkins feels he’s on ‘hot seat’ after taking foot off gas pedal https://buffalonews.com/2019/01/14/buffalo-bills-dion-dawkins-juan-castillo-temple-university-nfl-football-vic-carucci/ Carucci says it was widely speculated that Castillo shouldered the blame for Dawkins’ struggles: If he took his foot off the gas then lets get rid of him as well. We already had one fat lazy man and sent him to Jax. Either you put in the work or you go. One bad apple ruins the bunch. Edited January 15, 2019 by formerlyofCtown 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inigo Montoya Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 (edited) If Allen has an O-line that lets him stand tall in the pocket and throw the ball from a stable base, not running for his life or on designed roll outs to mitigate the rush, I think Allen will take a big step forward next season. More so than receivers to throw the ball to, if the O-line can give Allen just one more second for him to read the defense and let a route develop and let him step into a throw and not be forced to throw off his back foot or on the run I think the "accuracy" issues go away. Having a clean pocket to throw from every now and then doesn't seem like too much to ask for. Beane needs to get it done. Edited January 15, 2019 by Inigo Montoya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADOLBILZ Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said: Sounds like he could be moved to RT or G depending on who we acquire. As in, they won’t look at only the other positions on the line to upgrade. That’s the right idea. He could be an All Pro LG. The few times he replaced Incognito as a rookie he looked tremendous there. Not nearly as impressive at LT. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSHMEAB Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 If he feels that way, he needs to spend the offseason getting stronger and leaner, especially if he wants to play left tackle. He looks a bit overweight/soft and that is something easily improved with strength and conditioning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptnCoke11 Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 7 minutes ago, LSHMEAB said: If he feels that way, he needs to spend the offseason getting stronger and leaner, especially if he wants to play left tackle. He looks a bit overweight/soft and that is something easily improved with strength and conditioning. Call McDermott and let him know. Maybe he’s unaware Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
315Mafia Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 3 hours ago, BADOLBILZ said: He could be an All Pro LG. The few times he replaced Incognito as a rookie he looked tremendous there. Not nearly as impressive at LT. i agree! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ol Dirty B Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 (edited) So he thought OK, I've got this, then got torn up for 6 months and now he needs to change? And some of you still praise this guy? Because he admitted it? He got complacent way too easily. Not a fan of his attitude. He'll never be great. I've defended him, but those quotes are bad. Edited January 15, 2019 by Ol Dirty B 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewEra Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 He should feel like he’s on the hot seat. He sucked this year. I hope we draft a starting tackle and sign a starting tackle while moving him to guard. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WideNine Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 4 minutes ago, NewEra said: He should feel like he’s on the hot seat. He sucked this year. I hope we draft a starting tackle and sign a starting tackle while moving him to guard. He's young and made a mistake - it happens. That being said, i don't know if watching Juan taking the fall is a learning experience. The Bills should draft someone who can play LT and move him to guard...if nothing else, it sends the right message about work ethic and may light a fire under him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ol Dirty B Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 3 minutes ago, WideNine said: He's young and made a mistake - it happens. That being said, i don't know if watching Juan taking the fall is a learning experience. The Bills should draft someone who can play LT and move him to guard...if nothing else, it sends the right message about work ethic and may light a fire under him. He made a year long mistake. His quotes are worse than the crime to me. You can have a down year, but it sounds like he gets easily complacent. As a professional athlete, that can't happen, in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bing Bong Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 (edited) 5 hours ago, Mat68 said: That takes alot for a player but any man in general to do. Admit your own weakness and failures. I am pleasantly surprised by this and I would be confident moving forward with at tackle after it. If he attacks the offense and gets better, the line will be better. No kidding. That takes some balls. I wouldn't think less of a player that keeps this to himself with head down knowing he needs to do better without having to go public unsolicited about that. So weird. The cynical part of me sees a PR move so everybody can say "wow, what a mature self aware man" lol Kind of like Rodgers talking about his role in McCarthy's firing haha. So phony. Totally different players/situations/visibility, but that's what it reminds me of is all. Edited January 15, 2019 by BarkleyForGOATBackupPT5P 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJS Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 He's our LT until we have a proven upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ol Dirty B Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 6 minutes ago, MJS said: He's our LT until we have a proven upgrade. Ok. Can't you say that about every position? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WideNine Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 3 minutes ago, Ol Dirty B said: He made a year long mistake. His quotes are worse than the crime to me. You can have a down year, but it sounds like he gets easily complacent. As a professional athlete, that can't happen, in my opinion. I hear you, but would like to see what a position change and different coaching does for him. O-linemen are a strange breed. The right coach and they will run through a wall...does not mean that a coach has to be buddies with them, more often than not that kind of relationship with players is too familiar and does not translate to better development or play on the field. Even considering the steps Dawkins took backwards, he was still the best o-linemen we had out there last year. I also think it helps to have players pushing for your spot - so who was pushing Dawkins with Glenn gone? There is a reason he got complacent and comfortable with his friendly coach and less than competitive UFA o-line peers. They gave Foster another chance to turn it around...sometimes 2nd chances works if the conditions change. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ol Dirty B Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Just now, WideNine said: I hear you, but would like to see what a position change and different coaching does for him. O-linemen are a strange breed. The right coach and they will run through a wall...does not mean that a coach has to be buddies with them, more often than not that kind of relationship with players is too familiar and does not translate to better development or play on the field. Even considering the steps Dawkins took backwards, he was still the best o-linemen we had out there last year. I also think it helps to have players pushing for your spot - so who was pushing Dawkins with Glenn gone? There is a reason he got complacent and comfortable with his friendly coach and less than competitive UFA o-line peers. They gave Foster another chance to turn it around...sometimes 2nd chances works if the conditions change. Can't disagree with this at all. I was never a fan of the Glenn trade. I understood it to an extent but stacking talent isn't a bad thing when you could have a starting tackle on a rookie contract. The only way I'd be really disappointed with Dawkins, and the staff is if they had to move him inside to guard after trading away a tackle. It'll be just us chasing a tackle all over again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJS Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 7 minutes ago, Ol Dirty B said: Ok. Can't you say that about every position? Yes, you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LABILLBACKER Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 5 hours ago, Augie said: Well.....glad that he owns it and hopefully it makes a real difference. Always felt Dawkins had a high character, I just don't think he's a true LT. And Castillo did very little helping out the other guys. Slide Dion to RT and draft Jonah or a FA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WideNine Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 8 minutes ago, Ol Dirty B said: Can't disagree with this at all. I was never a fan of the Glenn trade. I understood it to an extent but stacking talent isn't a bad thing when you could have a starting tackle on a rookie contract. The only way I'd be really disappointed with Dawkins, and the staff is if they had to move him inside to guard after trading away a tackle. It'll be just us chasing a tackle all over again. Dawkins originally was projected as a guard or right tackle, if they picked up another LT in the draft who could also play guard you have flexibility on that left side in case of injuries.... I don't want them to "chase" any position, but more depth on the left side would not hurt. The Glenn trade also allowed them to move up and take Allen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeelingOnYouboty Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Dion Dawkins is a good kid and you can tell he has leadership qualities. He needs his performance to match that though. I really want to see him at LG. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffaloboyinATL Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 11 hours ago, formerlyofCtown said: If he took his foot off the gas then lets get rid of him as well. We already had one fat lazy man and sent him to Jax. Either you put in the work or you go. One bad apple ruins the bunch. Lots of players regress in their second year after a successful rookie season because they feel as though they have it figured out and it will be "easy" to maintain. That is not enough to release a talented player. The question now is what he will do with it now that he recognized what happened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted January 15, 2019 Author Share Posted January 15, 2019 (edited) 3 minutes ago, buffaloboyinATL said: Lots of players regress in their second year after a successful rookie season because they feel as though they have it figured out and it will be "easy" to maintain. That is not enough to release a talented player. The question now is what he will do with it now that he recognized what happened. I think Incognito’s departure was a big factor as well. He had really taken him under his wing last year, and losing the vet stability next to him on the field had to have an impact. Edited January 15, 2019 by YoloinOhio 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billzgobowlin Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Every Offensive line player should feel like they are on the hot seat but honestly individual advances aren't the reason Castillo was fired imo. O line coaches need to be more big picture when coaching up linemen and consistently they weren't working well together Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Call_Of_Ktulu Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 I think Dawkins would be a very good LG and better than average LT. If we draft or sign a LT I would 100% move him to LG. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 They way he's mixing metaphors....he should be worried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted January 15, 2019 Author Share Posted January 15, 2019 I heard some analysts talking about OL and how it’s one of the most coveted positions in the nfl (not just LT, any position on the OL) and it’s at the point where any really good ones do not hit FA. They said you really need to build it through the draft. I haven’t studied the current list of FAs this year but the comment makes sense. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 11 hours ago, BADOLBILZ said: He could be an All Pro LG. The few times he replaced Incognito as a rookie he looked tremendous there. Not nearly as impressive at LT. Thought it when he was drafted and still think it now. You can get by with him at LT, he is certainly not a disaster..... but he is just kind of average. I think he'd be an absolute stud at LG. The way the FA and Draft market for OL looks though I think improving the guard play will be easier. But if they ended up with Dawkins at LG next year there would be no complaints from me. You have made the point before Badol - and there is probably some truth in it - the issue is more how would he feel about being moved to a less high $$s spot on the line two years before FA? Would depend how much he was willing to bet on himself at LG I suspect. There are 15 LTs earning $10m+ per year and only 9 Guards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBeaneBandit Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 I predict if Dawkins moves to LG he makes multiple pro bowls and gets the "10 M per year" contract anyways. I would't mind poaching Trent Brown from the pats to allow this move...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloHokie13 Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 13 hours ago, YoloinOhio said: Sounds like he could be moved to RT or G depending on who we acquire. As in, they won’t look at only the other positions on the line to upgrade. That’s the right idea. Yeah, someone must've told him they were looking at moving him to guard and he knew what that meant for his next contract. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Call_Of_Ktulu Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 (edited) 8 minutes ago, TheBeaneBandit said: I predict if Dawkins moves to LG he makes multiple pro bowls and gets the "10 M per year" contract anyways. I would't mind poaching Trent Brown from the pats to allow this move...... No way Brown leaves the Patriots, Tom Brady would just add a year to his contract and get paid under the table with his vitamin company that Kraft is heavily invested in. We need to test our new destroyer rail gun on Gillette stadium, the Patriots need to be destroyed. FYI I call Josh Allens arm the Rail Gun., we call my buddy that too but for different reasons. Edited January 15, 2019 by Call_Of_Ktulu 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted January 15, 2019 Author Share Posted January 15, 2019 (edited) 3 minutes ago, BuffaloHokie13 said: Yeah, someone must've told him they were looking at moving him to guard and he knew what that meant for his next contract. True but it seems like Interior OL are getting almost as pricey as OTs now. He could get a bigger contract if he becomes a premium OG then a mediocre LT. Edited January 15, 2019 by YoloinOhio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 that Va Tech rookie to RG, dawkins to LG, 2 FA starters, and a highish drafted rookie and we have our sick O Line. draft BPA, sign a TE and one big time WR (trade a future pick for Julio maybe?) and we win the offseason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 Good attitude to have. He may never be an all pro but at worst, he will be solid and a good leader. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BADOLBILZ Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 1 hour ago, GunnerBill said: You have made the point before Badol - and there is probably some truth in it - the issue is more how would he feel about being moved to a less high $$s spot on the line two years before FA? Would depend how much he was willing to bet on himself at LG I suspect. There are 15 LTs earning $10m+ per year and only 9 Guards. Was having this discussion with Bill from NYC on pm..............I give McD credit for getting out in front of the matter with Dawkins. McD has obviously been very clear with him about where he stands relative to their expectations........accountable at least in part for his coach getting canned.......he's put the responsibility for any change of position on Dawkins rather than waiting for another year to pass and getting into a pissing match about it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted January 15, 2019 Share Posted January 15, 2019 8 hours ago, LABILLBACKER said: Always felt Dawkins had a high character, I just don't think he's a true LT. And Castillo did very little helping out the other guys. Slide Dion to RT and draft Jonah or a FA. Am I dreaming this, or did he struggle at RT as a rookie trying to reverse all the mechanics? Not that it couldn’t be overcome, but I seem to recall some difficulties there. Was he a LT in college, I assume? I pray Teller turns out to be starting caliber. One less hole to fill. No idea where they all land, just add some talent and coach them up to be a strength rather than a pitiful weakness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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