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Astronotes Day 4 7/28


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1 minute ago, ScotSHO said:

What happens if Barkley looks like the better QB thru the preseason?  He is way more accurate.

Nothing I have read about the first 4 practices indicates Barkley is close to Allen in terms of play or command.  

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42 minutes ago, Chandler#81 said:

 

LOL "With Beasley behind Brown on this side, there’s an all-out blitz. Allen’s cool as a cucumber in your vegetable drawer. He hits Beasley on a slant for a major gain."

 

 

5 minutes ago, ScotSHO said:

What happens if Barkley looks like the better QB thru the preseason?  He is way more accurate.

 

We get to feel better about the guy who is our #2 QB and about keeping him ahead of Tyree Jackson.

 

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Foster must have some clear body language.  Astro tagging him as 'Robert “Why Am I With The Twos” Foster', Smoky as 'John “I’m The Reason You’re With The Twos” Brown', Foster again as 'Robert “Can You Please Trade Smoky” Foster' LOL.

 

I liked Astro's bit about what's different about this training camp, but one thing I wonder about is whether previous training camps had the offense running on script, whereas this year Daboll is mixing it up depending upon what he sees.  Here's an example of why I speculate the latter:

" Josh Allen returns with his line of Dawkins, Spain, Bodine, Long, and Ford. The line blocks so well that Frank Gore sailed right up through the middle of the NFL’s best run defense. That’s what I’m talking about. Allen changes the next play at the line, and the toss sweep to Shady worked well to the far side. The D had bunched up in the middle, leaving the edge open. Smashmouth Formation on the next play fools the D when it’s a play-action pass, but Josh throws his worst ball of the day, behind Smoky Brown, right into the open arms of Tre White. "

Leaving aside the "best run defense" snark, it sounds as though Daboll is playing chess with the D, like "HA!  we ran it up the middle!" "HA! you're gonna bunch the middle and leave the edge open, watch this!" "Ha!  I bet you'll think we'll never pass from this formation!"

Which I see as Great, because why have training camp if it's not going to be at least in some regards, reflective of what the players will see in games?

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Really like Astro's (and other reporters) takes on how well Training Camp is being run/coached.

So far it looks like McDermott's changes in coaches at QB, OL, WR and ST were all needed and improved.

 

Sounds like McDermott's staff is finding a good balance between teaching/accountability/camaraderie.

Maybe I put more into this than some think necessary but it's always been important to me.

 

I guess Daboll had to dress down Tyree.  I hope he can improve, not only for his sake, but also for the offensive players around him.

I'm still hoping Tyree can be worth sliding into the Practice Squad.

 

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1 hour ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

LOL "With Beasley behind Brown on this side, there’s an all-out blitz. Allen’s cool as a cucumber in your vegetable drawer. He hits Beasley on a slant for a major gain."

 

 

 

We get to feel better about the guy who is our #2 QB and about keeping him ahead of Tyree Jackson.

 

----------------

 

Foster must have some clear body language.  Astro tagging him as 'Robert “Why Am I With The Twos” Foster', Smoky as 'John “I’m The Reason You’re With The Twos” Brown', Foster again as 'Robert “Can You Please Trade Smoky” Foster' LOL.

 

I liked Astro's bit about what's different about this training camp, but one thing I wonder about is whether previous training camps had the offense running on script, whereas this year Daboll is mixing it up depending upon what he sees.  Here's an example of why I speculate the latter:

" Josh Allen returns with his line of Dawkins, Spain, Bodine, Long, and Ford. The line blocks so well that Frank Gore sailed right up through the middle of the NFL’s best run defense. That’s what I’m talking about. Allen changes the next play at the line, and the toss sweep to Shady worked well to the far side. The D had bunched up in the middle, leaving the edge open. Smashmouth Formation on the next play fools the D when it’s a play-action pass, but Josh throws his worst ball of the day, behind Smoky Brown, right into the open arms of Tre White. "

Leaving aside the "best run defense" snark, it sounds as though Daboll is playing chess with the D, like "HA!  we ran it up the middle!" "HA! you're gonna bunch the middle and leave the edge open, watch this!" "Ha!  I bet you'll think we'll never pass from this formation!"

Which I see as Great, because why have training camp if it's not going to be at least in some regards, reflective of what the players will see in games?

I'm not sure this is from his body language and not just Astro having some fun with a situation fans have noticed and commented on.

Edited by Warcodered
because so and not mean very different things.
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34 minutes ago, Warcodered said:

I'm so sure this is from his body language and not just Astro having some fun with a situation fans have noticed and commented on.

 

I vote for option 3, "both of the above", only because a couple of the more knowledgeable guys watching camp and tweeting have independently commented on the former.

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Best one yet from Astro. He is properly into his stride for the year now. 

 

The WR combos were really interesting. Reiterates I think what I have said consistently. There is a top 4 and then a battle but that the "big guys" that a lot of fans love - Sills and Duke face an uphill battle. They are just not getting many, if any, first team looks. 

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5 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

Best one yet from Astro. He is properly into his stride for the year now. 

 

The WR combos were really interesting. Reiterates I think what I have said consistently. There is a top 4 and then a battle but that the "big guys" that a lot of fans love - Sills and Duke face an uphill battle. They are just not getting many, if any, first team looks. 

 

But do they play ST?

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1 minute ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

But do they play ST?

 

Haven't heard that they do. If someone wants to tweet Astro and ask him if he can keep an eye out for us as to who is out there on STs I would appreciate it. The only thing I have seen so far is Siran Neal is getting first shot as the gunner in coverage units..

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9 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Haven't heard that they do. If someone wants to tweet Astro and ask him if he can keep an eye out for us as to who is out there on STs I would appreciate it. The only thing I have seen so far is Siran Neal is getting first shot as the gunner in coverage units..

 

Astro mentioned on special teams today:
"Kick Return practice was all The Andre Roberts Show. Like it or not, he’s on the team as the WR#6/KR#1. Some key special teamers out there were Pat DiMarco, Stanford, Sweeney, Isaiah McKenzie, and my man Nick Easley. Players reaching Roberts first were Easley, RayRay, and McKenzie."

 

That doesn't sound as though Sills or Williams are either in on it or going strong....

 

 



 

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24 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

So McKenzie and McCloud are playing teams. I am 90% sure it comes down to one or the other of those two for the final receiver spot. 

 

McKenzie is 5'8", 173.  Rayray is 5'9", 190.  They are guys who would like like, well, ordinary guys walking down the street.


They may get to the return man first in coverage - but can they tackle him?  Cordarelle Patterson, 6'2", 228?  Even Andre Roberts, McKenzie gives him 3" and 20 lbs. 

Steve Tasker was 5'9" and played at 185, so it's possible but that was Then...

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3 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

McKenzie is 5'8", 173.  Rayray is 5'9", 190.  They are guys who would like like, well, ordinary guys walking down the street.


They may get to the return man first in coverage - but can they tackle him?  Cordarelle Patterson, 6'2", 228?  Even Andre Roberts, McKenzie gives him 3" and 20 lbs. 

Steve Tasker was 5'9" and played at 185, so it's possible but that was Then...

 

But they are out there playing. The big guys aren't. 

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2 hours ago, ScotSHO said:

What happens if Barkley looks like the better QB thru the preseason?  He is way more accurate.

I’m assuming this is sarcasm but I think the staff learned their lesson about starting the guy who looks the “most accurate” in TC

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If Ray Ray plays teams and keeps improving he is the final Wr... 1 Brown 2 Beasley 3 Jones 4 Foster 5 Roberts.  Besides Beasley I think they want someone who can spell him at times.  They liked McCloud enough to keep him even through his rocky rookie season.  Dabol and McDermott have been very complimentary of him.  He is who they would like to have.  If Mccloud makes a few special team plays in preseason without the ball he makes it.  McKenzie is the second option and Cam Phillips is the third.  Sills and Williams are long shots with Brown, Jones, Foster and Roberts ahead of them on the outside.  They would need to be preseason all stars. 

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35 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

McKenzie is 5'8", 173.  Rayray is 5'9", 190.  They are guys who would like like, well, ordinary guys walking down the street.

So you’re saying I have a chance? Put me in coach! I’m often mistaken for an ordinary guy when I’m walking down the street.

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5 minutes ago, Rocky Landing said:

The same thing that happened when he looked like the better QB last season vs. the Jets. This is Allen's team.

They are looking at the ceiling, not the floor. It will play out. 

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20 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Err...pads just went on yesterday

 

Yes, it is early. But at the moment McKenzie and McCloud are ahead of the big guys in the receiver rotation and out there ahead of them on special teams as well. I don't think I am crazy in thinking that Sills and Duke are behind the 8 ball. 

 

And while it is early I say again that the pattern in the two McDermott camps has been that at receiver it was the guys that made noise early in camp that stuck.... not necessarily the guys who played the best in pre season. 

Edited by GunnerBill
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3 hours ago, ScotSHO said:

What happens if Barkley looks like the better QB thru the preseason?  He is way more accurate.

 

Then this board is going to lose its mind. 

 

Reality is Barkley May well stand a chance of being competent, Allen represents a swing for the fences. He’s a shot at elite, great, exceptional.

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42 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Yes, it is early. But at the moment McKenzie and McCloud are ahead of the big guys in the receiver rotation and out there ahead of them on special teams as well. I don't think I am crazy in thinking that Sills and Duke are behind the 8 ball. 

 

And while it is early I say again that the pattern in the two McDermott camps has been that at receiver it was the guys that made noise early in camp that stuck.... not necessarily the guys who played the best in pre season. 

Am I alone in thinking that McKenzie, and McCloud are a little small for the role of gunners? 

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13 minutes ago, Rocky Landing said:

Am I alone in thinking that McKenzie, and McCloud are a little small for the role of gunners? 

 

No, not at all alone.  I have that concern myself.  On the one hand, Steve Tasker was 5'9" and played at 185, so it's possible

On the other hand, Steve Tasker was kind of unique, and some of the players used as returners are larger now.

 

57 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Yes, it is early. But at the moment McKenzie and McCloud are ahead of the big guys in the receiver rotation and out there ahead of them on special teams as well. I don't think I am crazy in thinking that Sills and Duke are behind the 8 ball. 

 

And while it is early I say again that the pattern in the two McDermott camps has been that at receiver it was the guys that made noise early in camp that stuck.... not necessarily the guys who played the best in pre season. 

 

Just sayin', it's one ST scenario reported by Astro, and doesn't necessarily represent all that's going on.

 

It's also possible that after some actual tackling, the player ST assignments may change.

You're still not crazy in thinking that Duke Williams and Sills are not lining up as sure shots to make the team.

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These reports have been great!  I almost feel like I went to the practice after having read it.  I've now read 1-4 and I'm hooked!

 

I've seen Victor Bolden getting mentioned a fair amount for making nice catches.  This WR battle is shaping up to be pretty juicy.  Preseason can't come fast enough!

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39 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:


You're still not crazy in thinking that Duke Williams and Sills are not lining up as sure shots to make the team.

 

They are more than no sure shots. They are long shots. And I am not the only one saying it - it is the consensus on social media from guys (both media reps and fans) who have been out at camp. 

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5 hours ago, ScotSHO said:

What happens if Barkley looks like the better QB thru the preseason?  He is way more accurate.

He gets to throw passes to you in your back yard while Josh is playing in front of a sold out crowd at the stadium.  

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1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said:

No more Astro Notes until Wednesday ?

 

Isn't there a closed-to-the-public, media-only camp Tuesday?  But I guess Rastro doesn't qualify.

Edited by PromoTheRobot
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