"The unsung hero and the Bills’ best player — Trent Murphy" - Joe B

[transplantbillsfan]

This is from Joe B's All-22 review on The Athletic, which requires a subscription.  Not posting the whole review, just the bit on Murphy:

 

Following a frustrating, injury-filled 2018, Trent Murphy returned in the spring without any lingering issues. He was healthy, and the Bills hoped he would become the player they envisioned when they signed him to a sizable free-agent contract in the 2018 offseason. Without Murphy on the field, the Bills wouldn’t have been able to bottle up Sam Darnold and Le’Veon Bell nearly as well as they did.

 

Murphy registered an assisted tackle, a pass defense and a fumble recovery at the end of the game, which seemed measly by box score standards. Murphy’s performance is the precise reason why going back to review the film is so essential. Beyond the numbers, he was outstanding. The left defensive end led the way in snaps for all defensive linemen and consistently provided pressure off the edge to set off Darnold’s internal alarm clock. The play that most will remember is when Darnold eluded Murphy’s tackle to throw a touchdown pass the referees later disallowed. Regardless, if Murphy hadn’t read his keys and hold his spot on the read-option play near the goal line, Darnold would have been able to dive into the end zone for a touchdown.

 

Murphy forced Darnold to throw while his team was blocking down the field and forced a penalty. The Jets scored on the next play, but that wasn’t on Murphy’s watch. His pass-rushing was good against the Jets, but it was his run defense that really stood out. Murphy’s ability to lock Bell between the tackles was one of the biggest reasons the defense had such success on Sunday.

 

Edge contain is often a lost art with sack-obsessed defensive ends, but it is a critical component both to Murphy’s skill-set and the team-based defensive scheme Sean McDermott runs. Murphy used his long frame to keep the right tackle away from his pads on rushing plays. He combined his length with enough to power to shift the right tackle where he wanted him, essentially building a wall that prevented the ever-patient Bell from kicking it outside for bigger yardage.

 

Murphy routinely set the table for his teammates to make plays at or near the line of scrimmage — and is likely receiving plenty of internal praise from his coaching staff and teammates. He didn’t register a sack on Sunday, but the way he played — and how it showed up on film — was more than worth the weight of his substantial contract.

[Heitz]

But, what the hell am I supposed to do with this burning pitchfork!?!  

 

[BuffAlone]

He really looked like a different player as to last year. I hope he keeps it up! He played very well

Just now, Heitz said:

But, what the hell am I supposed to do with this burning pitchfork!?!  

 

that question is a triple edged sword my friend

[The Wiz]

3 minutes ago, Heitz said:

But, what the hell am I supposed to do with this burning pitchfork!?!  

 

I hear DiMarco is a good option. 

[Cruiserplayer]

But I thought Shaq Lawson should be starting.

[Foxx]

good read. thanks for posting.

[Say When...]

that's what i love about this stuff, it's not always in the statline its about the opportunities it gives to the team.

 

Team...

[3rdand12]

16 minutes ago, Heitz said:

But, what the hell am I supposed to do with this burning pitchfork!?!  

 

I could add it to my significant collection of tar and feathers. Boiling oil and  Crow done well.
always happy to return in when opportunity arises.
 

[billybob71]

20 minutes ago, transplantbillsfan said:

This is from Joe B's All-22 review on The Athletic, which requires a subscription.  Not posting the whole review, just the bit on Murphy:

 

Following a frustrating, injury-filled 2018, Trent Murphy returned in the spring without any lingering issues. He was healthy, and the Bills hoped he would become the player they envisioned when they signed him to a sizable free-agent contract in the 2018 offseason. Without Murphy on the field, the Bills wouldn’t have been able to bottle up Sam Darnold and Le’Veon Bell nearly as well as they did.

 

Murphy registered an assisted tackle, a pass defense and a fumble recovery at the end of the game, which seemed measly by box score standards. Murphy’s performance is the precise reason why going back to review the film is so essential. Beyond the numbers, he was outstanding. The left defensive end led the way in snaps for all defensive linemen and consistently provided pressure off the edge to set off Darnold’s internal alarm clock. The play that most will remember is when Darnold eluded Murphy’s tackle to throw a touchdown pass the referees later disallowed. Regardless, if Murphy hadn’t read his keys and hold his spot on the read-option play near the goal line, Darnold would have been able to dive into the end zone for a touchdown.

 

Murphy forced Darnold to throw while his team was blocking down the field and forced a penalty. The Jets scored on the next play, but that wasn’t on Murphy’s watch. His pass-rushing was good against the Jets, but it was his run defense that really stood out. Murphy’s ability to lock Bell between the tackles was one of the biggest reasons the defense had such success on Sunday.

 

Edge contain is often a lost art with sack-obsessed defensive ends, but it is a critical component both to Murphy’s skill-set and the team-based defensive scheme Sean McDermott runs. Murphy used his long frame to keep the right tackle away from his pads on rushing plays. He combined his length with enough to power to shift the right tackle where he wanted him, essentially building a wall that prevented the ever-patient Bell from kicking it outside for bigger yardage.

 

Murphy routinely set the table for his teammates to make plays at or near the line of scrimmage — and is likely receiving plenty of internal praise from his coaching staff and teammates. He didn’t register a sack on Sunday, but the way he played — and how it showed up on film — was more than worth the weight of his substantial contract.

And I got the wrath of many when I said I'd rather stick with the combo of Murphy and Shaq instead of trading for Clowney

[3rdand12]

4 minutes ago, Say When... said:

that's what i love about this stuff, it's not always in the statline its about the opportunities it gives to the team.

 

Team...

TEAM has the letter I in it btw. it is just turned on its side in the middle of E.
Good to see such reports to help the less fortunate who are focused on FF

Just now, billybob71 said:

And I got the wrath of many when I said I'd rather stick with the combo of Murphy and Shaq instead of trading for Clowney

Not from me my friend.
Healthy Murph and hungry Shaq . nice

[Forward Progress]

This is another great article from the Athletic.  I had just finished reading before I saw this post.

 

There are so many contributions that don't show up on the stat sheet, especially the hard-working guys in the trenches. 

 

 

 

[GunnerBill]

5 minutes ago, billybob71 said:

And I got the wrath of many when I said I'd rather stick with the combo of Murphy and Shaq instead of trading for Clowney

 

They both played really well on Sunday. Still, gimme Clowney every day and twice on Sundays.

[PlayoffsPlease]

Not to take anything away from Trent. But this article is mostly about the writer trying to show that he sees everything better than you do. And maybe he does. 

Edited September 11, 2019 by PlayoffsPlease

[John from Riverside]

1 minute ago, GunnerBill said:

 

They both played really well on Sunday. Still, gimme Clowney every day and twice on Sundays.

Not for that contract.....give me Murphy/Shaq/Johnson for the money they take up and lets get more weapons on our offense

 

[mrags]

28 minutes ago, BuffAlone said:

He really looked like a different player as to last year. I hope he keeps it up! He played very well

that question is a triple edged sword my friend

Don’t you mean sextuple edged sword?  

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

27 minutes ago, The Wiz said:

I hear DiMarco is a good option. 

 

 

...LMAO...the TBD "Boiled And Broiled List" is quite long.......several options (McBeane, McDermott and Pegula are on the TEMPORARY exempt list....for now).......

[BillsfaninSB]

41 minutes ago, Heitz said:

But, what the hell am I supposed to do with this burning pitchfork!?!  

 

 

Take it back to Ross Dress for Less.   Get a refund. 

[JoshAllenHasBigHands]

18 minutes ago, PlayoffsPlease said:

Not to take anything away from Trent. But this article is mostly about the writer trying to show that he sees everything better than you do. And maybe he does. 

 

The article is why it is so important to look at the tape and not rely on real-time reactions/the stat sheet. 

[Airbornetrooper]

Being 7 months removed from reconstructive ACL surgery myself, I can totally understand why he wasn’t quite himself last season. 

[GunnerBill]

34 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

Not for that contract.....give me Murphy/Shaq/Johnson for the money they take up and lets get more weapons on our offense

 

 

Now Johnson I am buying. I hope that kid can be a diamond in the rough. But I love Clowney and he was one of the best players on the field again Sunday. See Alvin Kamara getting outside on the Texans defense on MNF? Doesn't happen with Clowney still there. He is the real deal. 

 

But I am encouraged by Murphy (who I have been sceptical of) and Shaq. They both played really well on Sunday. There are not many D-linemen in the NFL I wouldn't swap Clowney for though. 

[BuffAlone]

44 minutes ago, mrags said:

Don’t you mean sextuple edged sword?  

i suppose I do. man my math is off today. was it 1-2 beers, or 12? lol

[John from Riverside]

48 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Now Johnson I am buying. I hope that kid can be a diamond in the rough. But I love Clowney and he was one of the best players on the field again Sunday. See Alvin Kamara getting outside on the Texans defense on MNF? Doesn't happen with Clowney still there. He is the real deal. 

 

But I am encouraged by Murphy (who I have been sceptical of) and Shaq. They both played really well on Sunday. There are not many D-linemen in the NFL I wouldn't swap Clowney for though. 

I just think our rook Oliver makes this all work......QBs cant step up into the pocket so it is giving our ends room to work.   Meatball (god bless him will always be one of my favorite bills players was slippin due to age....Oliver is a monster and it is affecting the productivity of our ends

[GunnerBill]

2 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

I just think our rook Oliver makes this all work......QBs cant step up into the pocket so it is giving our ends room to work.   Meatball (god bless him will always be one of my favorite bills players was slippin due to age....Oliver is a monster and it is affecting the productivity of our ends

 

Put Clowney outside him.... you might have an unplayable D. 

[MJS]

No, no, no. Not so fast. Murphy has already been declared a bust. Declarations just can't be ignored.

 

Move along...

[eball]

Meh. Another example of why Beane doesn’t know crap about free agency. 
 

I’m in the right thread, aren’t I?

[Beast]

2 hours ago, Heitz said:

But, what the hell am I supposed to do with this burning pitchfork!?!  

 

 

I know, I know!

 

Bojorquez!

[John from Riverside]

17 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Put Clowney outside him.... you might have an unplayable D. 

Gunner....we are 3rd in the NFL of defense.....just how unplayable do you want us to be

 

What would this team be if we had the defense we have right now AND could score a guranteed 3 Touchdowns a game

1 minute ago, Binghamton Beast said:

 

I know, I know!

 

Bojorquez!

Corey is eventually gonna F up you just know it!

 

Have your trident at the ready

[Rocket94]

Murphy reminds me of a 1970's throwback Oakland Raider. I can picture him roaming around next to Ted Hendricks. Looks like he has been caught in a time warp.

[GunnerBill]

11 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

Gunner....we are 3rd in the NFL of defense.....just how unplayable do you want us to be

 

 

I never pass up the chance to add elite talent for what the Seahawks paid... a 3rd and a 5th? Peanuts. 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Murphy was a bust and waste of money last year. Can't change that fact. But it's a new season and Murphy played well in the second half against the Jets. Lawson outplayed him and I'm still in the Lawson camp. The snaps should be closer to 50/50  not 2/3 1/3 like it was last week. 

Add the fact I don't think Harrison Phillips is any good,  I think there is an opportunity to get Lawson more reps dropping down to DT without taking too many reps away from Murphy.

 

[BuffaloBill]

3 hours ago, Heitz said:

But, what the hell am I supposed to do with this burning pitchfork!?!  

 

 

 

Save it .... at some point this season it is likely to become useful.....

[Beast]

2 hours ago, Ethan in Portland said:

Murphy was a bust and waste of money last year. Can't change that fact. But it's a new season and Murphy played well in the second half against the Jets. Lawson outplayed him and I'm still in the Lawson camp. The snaps should be closer to 50/50  not 2/3 1/3 like it was last week. 

Add the fact I don't think Harrison Phillips is any good,  I think there is an opportunity to get Lawson more reps dropping down to DT without taking too many reps away from Murphy.

 

 

You did watch the Bills defense last week, right?

 

I’ll side with what the coaches are doing.

[Buffalo Barbarian]

10 hours ago, Heitz said:

But, what the hell am I supposed to do with this burning pitchfork!?!  

 

 

Kelsay still around ??

 

 

[JoPoy88]

10 hours ago, Heitz said:

But, what the hell am I supposed to do with this burning pitchfork!?!  

 

 

Obviously save it for Zay

[CSBill]

10 hours ago, eball said:

Meh. Another example of why Beane doesn’t know crap about free agency. 
 

I’m in the right thread, aren’t I?

 

u ain't

[Freddie's Dead]

I gave Trent Murphy one of my game balls Sunday, thought he was 2nd best D on the field next to Shaq.  He was always around the ball and handling his bidness on the edge.  Bell didn't get outside and go wild like we thought he might.  Dude was solid and looks to be finally fully healed from the knee injury.  Those types of injuries take time, often more than a year.  I'm glad we got him.

[GreggTX]

Man I just love it when the Bills shut down the run! To me, if the other team can run on you, you're defenders are a bunch of p*[]<>s. I hope they play even better against Barkley and Elliot!

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

This guy has been hurt a lot but every time he’s on the field, he seems to be disruptive. He’s a very solid player and unfairly scrutinized by a lot of Bills fans IMO. He is good. He just needs to stay healthy.

[DCofNC]

Based on preseason where he routinely blew contain, its surprising to see he had such success at it.  I'm not going to sit around and analyze tape, but I wonder if this is all valid or an agenda being pushed by the author.

[JoshAllenHasBigHands]

2 minutes ago, DCofNC said:

Based on preseason where he routinely blew contain, its surprising to see he had such success at it.  I'm not going to sit around and analyze tape, but I wonder if this is all valid or an agenda being pushed by the author.

 

"based on preseason" ... "I [don't] sit around and analyze tape" 

 

Nice